Russian scientist Kseniia Petrova smuggled frog embryos into US being held in ICE jail for deportation
Share and Follow

A Russian scientist working at Harvard Medical School who was apprehended by ICE three months ago is now facing charges of attempting to import frog embryos unlawfully into the United States, announced federal prosecutors.

Kseniia Petrova, a research associate at the Ivy League school, has been holed up at an ICE facility ever since she nabbed after flying into Boston’s international airport with the stash of embryos back in February.

The 31-year-old Russian, who had just come back from a vacation in Paris, initially denied having to declare anything when probed by Customs and Border Protection, the feds allege.

A search of her duffle bag allegedly uncovered a foam box containing clawed frog embryos in microcentrifuges, as well as embryonic samples in paraffin well stages and on mounted dyed slides, prosecutors said.

Petrova later allegedly admitted to carrying biological material but claimed she didn’t no she was required to declare it.

Text messages recovered from her phone showed that a colleague had told her she’d needed to declare the goods, according to prosecutors.

“If you bring samples or antibody back, make sure you get the permission etc. Like that link I sent to leon-/group chat about frog embryos because TSA went through my bags at customs in Boston,” one text read, according to a criminal complaint.

“What is your plan to pass the American Customs with samples? This is the most delicate place of the trajectory,” another text read.

Petrova allegedly responded: “No plan yet. I won’t be able to swallow them.”

Her research visa was immediately revoked after she was detained.

She has been held at an immigration detention facility in Louisiana ever since.

In additional to deportation, Petrova now faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of smuggling goods into the US.

Her lawyer, Gregory Romanovsky, ripped the case as “meritless.”

“The charge, filed three months after the alleged customs violation, is clearly intended to make Kseniia look like a criminal to justify their efforts to deport her,” he said in a statement.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Border czar rips Virginia's new governor after she blocked ICE

Virginia’s New Governor Faces Sharp Criticism from Border Czar Over ICE Policy Blockade

Tom Homan, well-known as the Border Czar, recently criticized Virginia’s newly elected…
Tear gas is deployed as Federal agents make arrests on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Journalist Don Lemon Detained During Minnesota Church Protest Against ICE

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Authorities have arrested a well-known civil rights lawyer and…
U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino speaks during a news conference Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Chicago Man Acquitted: No Guilt in Alleged $10K Hit on Border Patrol Chief

CHICAGO (AP) — On Thursday, a man accused of placing a $10,000…
Florida, Texas and California lead America's housing crash

Florida, Texas, and California at the Forefront of America’s Housing Market Decline

Florida, Texas, and California have emerged as pivotal regions in the current…
Ryan Reynolds TORCHED over 'cringe' email he sent to Colleen Hoover

Ryan Reynolds Criticized for Awkward Email Sent to Author Colleen Hoover

Ryan Reynolds recently found himself in the spotlight for an email he…
Philadelphia slavery exhibits at President's House removed after Trump administration directive

Philadelphia’s President’s House Slavery Exhibits Removed Following Directive from Trump Administration

The National Park Service commenced the dismantling of a slavery memorial at…
Bridget Jones actor Donald Douglas dies aged 92 after a short illness

Farewell to a Star: Donald Douglas, 92, Bridget Jones Actor Passes After Brief Illness

Donald Douglas, renowned for his role in Bridget Jones, has passed away…
'Remote Invite Scam': Hackers using calendar app to access computers, steal money, information, security experts, local woman warn

Cybersecurity Alert: Hackers Exploit Calendar Apps to Breach Systems and Steal Sensitive Information, Warn Experts and Victim

CHICAGO (WLS) — Security experts are sounding the alarm about a rapidly…